Half day

 I am so thankful for our friends, the W fam.  The boys had a half day a while ago and they invited us over to swim. 

 I didn't take many pictures but managed to get these with Max, their dog. 

 The boys had a blast swimming and jumping on the tramp.  We are lucky to have such good friends that live so close.

The week after the fourth

 we decided to go to the cabin.  We invited the W family along, but they had other commitments.  Luckily, Ian (their son that is Ben's age) was able to come.  The day before we left, Christy and I met up at Mesquite pool for some summer fun. 

 The lazy river and water slides are so fun at that pool.  Evan was just getting confident with his swimming and spent most of the afternoon going off the diving boards while I cheered him on.  He was so cute!  We saw some of Ben's friends there too. 

The boys all had a blast and I had a great time visiting with Christy and her daughter Megan.  Good day.

Happy 4th!

 We had a great 4th of July except for the fact that Xander was at the Lodge with my parents and not with us :(.  Christy and I went running together in the morning and then we all meet up at the movies to see The Amazing Spiderman.  We all loved it!  I think I loved it more than the other Spiderman movies.  After that we went over the the W family's house for swimming and a BBQ. 

 After a yummy BBQ dinner (thanks Eric!) the kids and Ian played Rock Band and Christy and I did Just Dance. 

 Max and Max :)

 Evan, Max and Brayden played nurf wars. 

 We ended the day by going home and watching fireworks in our cul de sac with Stacy, Paul and Josh.  It was a beautiful night - the first time I can remember being able to sit outside on the fourth and not sweating to death.  I am so thankful for such awesome friends.  We had a fun filled day!

Summer Days

 If you are a regular on this here blog, you know that I have my ups and I have my downs.  One thing I have learned over and over in the past few years is that I am responsible for my happiness.  I can't (and shouldn't) count on any one else to make me happy.  That being said...sometimes when I'm down I complain about it.  I was having one of my down days and my sister Kim stopped by with this puzzle.  I love it!  It makes me so happy.  In fact, I want to do it right now.  Thanks Kim!  You always brighten my day :)

 Swimming with friends also makes me happy.  We went swimming at the W fam's house.  Max and Max gave each other hugs.

 Pool basketball:

It's always fun to relax by the pool and have "girl" talk while the kids swim.

Good times.

June

flew by.  Seriously.  I took this picture of Ben in the beginning of the month before he left for a week to scout camp (which he was so nervous about but ended up loving).  I am so thankful for this kid.  He is so obedient and helpful - he keeps me sane!

 Also, in early June my dad ended up being admitted to the hospital for heart problems.  By divine intervention - the doctor found and put a stint into a blocked artery in the back of his heart.  It is something that doctor's routinely miss and it could have proved fatal.  Over the past few months my dad's health has continued to deteriorate.  Please pray for him.  I can't even imagine my life without him, I love him so much.

 Ian has had quite a few days off work (trying to let his back heal).  One of the major pluses was all of the time he spent with Evan.  Evan loves his dad so much.  So do I :)

 Also in early June, Christy and Eric went to girls camp so the boys and I got to spend the night over at their house with their kids.  They have such a fun house - the boys had a blast.  One day Xander and Ben stayed all day long.  Max only left because he had a dental procedure.  I am so grateful for such good friends that live so close.  We love the W fam!

June was a great month for our family.

Spring break

First let me say how much I love my mom on this Mother's Day.  I have been having so much trouble using blogger lately and she suggested I use Firefox instead of Internet Explorer.  BOOYAH!  It worked!  Mom, I love you for many reasons, but most of all, I love you because you are so wise :)

Spring break was so long ago that I can't remember all of what we did.  I know the older boys went on a camp out.  But I'm blurry on the rest.  Mostly we hung out at home, riding bikes and playing basketball.  Watching movies.  Watching Psych.  And playing x-box.  You know, the usual.  We did manage a short hike up "A" mountain with some of our favorite people - the W fam.  I love that family - they have been such good friends to us this past year.  Christy and I have became great friends - I don't know what I'd do without her.

Anyhow, the best part of spring break was having my kids home and spending time with them.  I sure love my boys. :)